A virulent vasculopathy

Arteriopathy is an uncommon complication of primary varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in the immunocompetent adult. We report a case of a 39-year-old woman known to be VZV negative prior to the event. She presented to the emergency department having experienced an episode of expressive aphasia...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ case reports 2011, Vol.2011 (mar24 1), p.bcr1120103481-bcr1120103481
Main Authors: Molloy, A, Forde, D, De Gascun, C, Fanning, N, Wyse, G, O’Toole, O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aneurysms
Aphasia
Aphasia - etiology
Cerebral Arterial Diseases - cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebral Arterial Diseases - diagnosis
Cerebral Arterial Diseases - virology
Chicken pox
Chickenpox - cerebrospinal fluid
Chickenpox - complications
Chickenpox - diagnosis
Children & youth
Dissection
Encephalitis
Europe (West)
Female
Headaches
Hemorrhage
Humans
Immunocompetence
Infections
Ischemia
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical imaging
Paresthesia - etiology
Patients
Stroke
Transient ischemic attack
Tumors
Unusual Association of Diseases/Symptoms
Viral infections
White
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Arteriopathy is an uncommon complication of primary varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in the immunocompetent adult. We report a case of a 39-year-old woman known to be VZV negative prior to the event. She presented to the emergency department having experienced an episode of expressive aphasia and right upper limb paraesthesia lasting 15 min. The symptoms followed a 3-day period of general malaise, arthralgia and a generalised maculopapular itchy rash involving face and limbs. No immunocompromise was detected but an infectious contact was identified in the home. Imaging findings were consistent with a focal cerebritis/vasculopathy and VZV infection was confirmed with cerebrospinal fluid PCR analysis. Resolution of radiological signs occurred following prompt treatment with appropriate antivirals.
ISSN:1757-790X
1757-790X
DOI:10.1136/bcr.11.2010.3481